Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 24: Second Christmas Gold Cup Cricket Tournament, organised by All J&K Sports and Cultural Welfare Association was inaugurated at MA Stadium, here today.
The tournament was inaugurated by Sharad Kalu, SDPO City North as chief guest of the event, while Yudhvir Selthi, BJP vice-president, Asif Gill, Yusuf Don, Vijay Kumar PS Stonious, PS Lovely Sobey, Rubina Akhter, Anil Masoom and David Masih were among the guests of honours of the event.
While speaking on the occasion, BJP leader Yudhvir Sethi asserted that participation in sports ensures healthy body and mind besides keeping the youth away from drugs.
The opening match of the tournament was played between Sydney Sixers Club and Ajmal Cricket Club wherein Ajmal Cricket Club won the toss and elected to field first.
Batting first, Sydney Sixers Club made 132 runs by losing 7 wickets in the process in stipulated 20 overs. Sajad Hussain scored 39 runs and Mohd Iqbal made 23 runs. From the bowling side, Ajmal took 2 wickets and Sumit secured 1 wicket.
In reply, Ajmal CC chased the target in 18.3 overs by losing only 4 wickets and won the match by 6 wickets. Nikhil Manhas scored unbeaten 71, while Sumit Kumar scored 22 runs. From the bowling side, Qadir took 2 wickets, whereas Mohd Iqbal claimed 1 wicket. Nikhil Manhas was declared as man of the match.
The 2nd match was played between Gorkha CC and Royal Strikes in which Gorkha CC won the toss and elected to bat first.
Batting first, Gorkha CC made119 runs on the loss of 10 wickets in 16.2 overs. Manish Sharma scored 33 runs, while Rahul Singh made 24 runs. From the bowling side, Rohit Koul took 2 wickets, Ars Raina and Sagar Pandita clinched 3 wickets each.
In reply, Royal Strikes made 112 runs by losing 9 wickets in 20 overs and lost the match by 7 runs. Samay Shah scored unbeaten 37 runs. From the bowling side, Ashu and Nitin took 3 wickets each. Nitin was declared as man of the match for his outstanding performance.
The matches were officiated by Dinesh Kumar, Dayal Singh, Nikhil Gill and Mcloead.